Western Hemisphere: The Americas
Mayan Civilization AD
Located in the Mexican and Central American rain forests of Yucatan Peninsula
Society city-states like Tikal and Chichen Itza Each city was an independent city-state ruled by a god-king and center of religious ceremonies and trade Cities had giant pyramids, temples, palaces, and elaborate stone carvings dedicated to the gods and important rulers
Polytheistic religion with pyramids
Economy Based on agriculture (maize, beans, squash) Trade (cotton, jade, cacao (chocolate)
Developed accurate calendar based on astronomy and math
Religion Pierced bodies with sharp needles (sting ray tail bone) and offered their blood, believing it would nourish the gods Sometimes had human sacrifices
Mysterious Decline By late 800s Mayans suddenly abandoned many of their cities Also decline because of constant warfare between city-states Maybe food shortage, over farming the land
Aztec Empire AD
Located in arid valley in Central Mexico
Aztecs Build and Empire According to Aztec legend, the Aztec sun god told the people to start a city by looking for a place where an eagle perched on a cactus was holding a snake in its mouth Found a place on a small island in Lake Texcoco, called city Tenochtitlan, ruled by an Emperor
Lake Texcoco, city Tenochtitlan
Power Power based on military conquest and tribute (tax) like gold, maize, cacao beans, cotton, jade from conquered peoples If didn’t pay tribute then respond brutally – destroy village and capture and slaughter the people Economy based on agriculture
Religion = polytheistic sun god made sun rise each day, but ONLY if nourished by human blood. Without regular offerings of blood, the sun would fall from sky and all life would die so had MASSIVE human sacrifices Thousands of victims, usually prisoners of war, led to altar at top of great temple where priests carved out their hearts using knives
Polytheistic religion with pyramids and ritual killings
Incan Empire AD
Located in Andes Mountains of South America
Major city: Machu Picchu
Developed advanced Road system similar to Romans
Ruled by an Emperor Economy based on high- altitude agriculture like Potatoes and llamas used to carry goods
Polytheistic religion, but not violent sacrifices like Mayan and Aztecs
Achievements of the Empires in the Americas Advanced mathematics (calendars) Forms of writing and other record-keeping systems (quippo for Incas)
Quipu